The 2014 Alpina D3 Touring with *almost* moon mileage

[Waitey]

The back story....

In 2016 I did 33k in 12 months in my brand new Audi RS3, rendering it worthless, to soften the blow I bought a 2009 E91 Alpina D3 Bi Tubro Touring to take on most of the miles I was doing.

It was on 68k and I fell totally in love with it and used it for everything.




After 12 months and another 30k miles, I let it go after buying a brand new Range Rover Sport.

Lovely thing and I still have it now but I still do 30k a year, so now after 2 years I'm on 60k miles with it and its worth nothing.... had lots of fun though!

So in a bid to keep mileage off the Rangie, I bought an old dream car, a 159 TI Sport wagon, while very pretty and cheap, I just don't get on with it. Even after doing 3k in 6 weeks with it.... I've not gotten around to selling it though...


So that brings me onto the Alpina of the title! After watching many USA based youtube videos about high mileage cars... I set about looking for one, well a 330d, after really enjoying a 335d X drive I had in 2014 and found this...

Alpina UK's own D3 Touring.

It's literally everything you can need from a car.

Quick spec:

350bhp - 530lb/ft
RWD
Factory fit Alpina LSD
8 Speed auto
Alpina suspension
Grey leather
Glacier Silver
Pro Nav
Pan roof
Adaptive headlights
Electric folding tow bar

Oh and its done 220k miles. It's first owner was Alpina UK's director Mr Mallet, who isn't, it seems, a fan of flying, so he did 210k in it in 5 years! Last owner did a further 10k in it over the last year. It still has 6 weeks worth of BMW extended warranty on it!

Averaged 45mpg on the way home at outside of the m-way speeds.

As for condition, I'll let the photo's speak for it. They were done with the car on 210k miles.....since then the last owner took the mud flaps off and had the windows tinted.

Sitting at 221k now, it's only 17k miles away from covering the distance from the Earth to the moon! Here's looking forward to covering 30k per annum in it for many more years!

Edited by Waitey on Tuesday 17th March 09:19

Edited by Waitey on Monday 12th August 16:29

Edited by Waitey on Monday 12th August 16:39

[Waitey]

Mikebentley said:

Whatdidthatmileage do to the price? Did it knock say 25% off the average or did the fact it probably wanted for nothing keep its price firm.

Circa 50% of the value of one with more standard mileage.

[Waitey]

bolidemichael said:

I've got to add that your old Alpina certainly didn't look too happy with this towing load...(!)

Yes weird one that one, as the nose weight was only 45kg!

My E91 was always down on the rear, I assume it has had new front springs at some point.

[Waitey]

gizlaroc said:

Hey?

I imagine wrong thread!

[Waitey]

peetee7 said:

Great thread ! I'm really happy this car has gone to a great car enthusiast like you. I was offered this car by Gary Lott (Alpina GB Brand Manager) in Jan.2019. The car was being advertised on behalf of the Alpina Used Car Director. It had done 210k miles. Apparently didn't need front disks and pads until 100,000k miles and they wanted £21.5k for it.

I started looking at a D3 Alpina on the collecting cars online auction - I put an offer in but unfortunately the reserve wasn't met. I didn't fully have my heart set on the collecting cars one as it didn't have a sunroof.

I ended up getting an F31 335d Touring as I gave up finding a D3 Alpina Touring within budget and spec

Enjoy it !

I was also offered it back then!

Booked it in to see Gary on the 27th for its end of warranty check.

I bet they don’t do many end of warranty checks on cars with 222k miles!

[Waitey]

Can't argue with the service history either:

Edited by Waitey on Monday 12th August 16:32

[Waitey]

My first go at fuel light bingo nearly went wrong.... 41mpg for those interested.

Edited by Waitey on Monday 12th August 16:33

[Waitey]

The dog is a fan though!

Edited by Waitey on Monday 12th August 16:33

[Waitey]

bolidemichael said:

The way those miles racked up is insane! How does it drive? Does it feel less worn than the miles suggest?

Feels no more worn than my 335d with 40k miles on it did.

I've done just shy of a 1000 miles in it in 9 days, so it's well on track to keep hitting big miles!

[Waitey]

bolidemichael said:

Do you also intend to uphold the rigorous maintenance?

Booked into Sytner Nottingham on the 27th (if I can go...) for a end of warranty check and oil service.

[Waitey]

Mr-B said:

That Alpina has worn it's miles incredibly well!

Loved your comment about the RRS has done 60k in 2 years so isn't worth anything Happy to give you weigh in value for it if you want shot if it, cash waiting.

Haha...

It’s actually more cost effective to essentially park it up for the rest of its lease and buy the Alpina than use it!

[Waitey]

LukeyP_ said:

Love this thread!

Out of interest, what car is Alpine guy driving now?

No idea actually!

[Waitey]

Robwt said:

Fantastic car, with a fantastic story! Love it - Look forward to more updates, especially with regards maintenance / on-going costs.

Does it still have fantastic ride quality? Notable improvement over the 335d?

I've had a 330d touring, and it was a fantastic allrounder - can only imagine how good this is.

This feels like a 7 series compared to my 335d, the difference is that great. Although an X drive 335d is far better than an S drive 330d due to the taller springs.

I did 40k in a year in my 335d. Traded it at a year old for a 2 year old F Type V8s, which I then did 20k miles in (now that was depreciation!!).

Edited by Waitey on Tuesday 17th March 09:18

[Waitey]

bolidemichael said:

The way that you use your cars is great; you must really get to know their characteristics!

I know how they all behave on the outside lane.

Oddly the F type V8 gave a better MPG on a outside lane cruise than the RS3 did. (36.2mpg vs 35.9mpg).

The RRS was the surprising package, giving over 40mpg on a run. It would even give over 35mpg while towing!

[Waitey]

martin mrt said:

Cracking read, and a great insight to someone who uses their cars properly.

Look forward to the updates on this

I've used all sorts for this kind of mileage!

TVR T350t - 18k miles in 8 months
TVR Tamora - 4k miles in 3 months
E46 M3 - 22k miles in 10 months
BMW Z3m - 14k miles in 6 months
Mini Cooper S GP1 - 2k miles in a month
Audi RS3 - 33K miles in 12 months
335d - 46k miles in 12 months
TT V6 Mk1 - 10k miles in 5 months
Range Rover V8 Vogue (LPG) - 15k miles in 8 months
Alpina D3 E91 - 31k in 11 months
F TYPE V8s - 18k in 11 months

Edited by Waitey on Wednesday 18th March 09:11

Edited by Waitey on Wednesday 18th March 09:12

Edited by Waitey on Wednesday 18th March 09:13

[Waitey]

BALDER5 said:

Wow I applaud you for doing that kind of mileage in some interesting cars! ????

I really wanted a D3 but couldn't afford one do bought an f31 330d touring. Had a e92 335d before which I remapped, I loved it. The 330d is great, the 8 speed gearbox is better but do miss that engine!

But one question... How do you afford to do that many miles in cars that would only just about hit 30 mpg?

I do 20k miles a year and sometimes think the low 40s I get from the 330d needs Lane man maths to justify!

Errr well, cars are my hobby. So I justify it that way. With the RangeRover Sport I was spending over £500 a month in fuel. The D3 will be nearer £400 so thats a nice saving for me!

I have looked at electric for my mileage, but the charging infrastructure just isn't there yet to suit my work.

[Waitey]

WAVman said:

Great car.

Mr Mallett, the previous owner is Jeremy Mallet, Used Car Director at Sytner. A gentleman from the old school, and VERY knowledgeable about all things automotive.

This car will have been looked after with no expense spared.

His son Tom, added me on Instagram. Nice to see some photos from the cars past!

[Waitey]

I had some Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5’s fitted to the front today.

Pilot Super Sports are all well and good when warm but they drag and aquaplane horribly when it’s cold and the tyre roar off them is deafening.

I got nearly 50k miles out of my Goodyear Assyms on the 335d, so I’m hoping for the same again.

[Waitey]

bolidemichael said:

Ooh, I'd be interested in hearing your recommendations for summer tyres. On my E Class estate, I have had Conti Sport Contact, which were good, Falken FK501s, which were great and I'm wondering what to try next.

Do you rotate your tyres?

Never rotate.

Can’t go wrong with Eagle Assyms or PS4/PS4S’

[Waitey]

m5wagon said:

How does the suspension on the Alpina compare to the 335d? I think the F31 330d M sport I have is a bit poor.

The 335d is on taller springs due to being X drive, so is a little less harsh than a 330d S drive.

The Alpina is on a different planet to them in terms of ride quality.